History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 1 (2 of 2)
This servant of God Master Patrick Hamilton, being in his youth provided to reasonable honours and living (he was intituled Abbot of Fern) as one hating the world and the vanitie thereof, left Scotland, and passed to the Schools in Germany; for then the fame of the Universitie of Wittenberg was greatly divulgate in all Countreys: where by Gods providence he became familar with those lights and notable servants of Christ Jesus of that time, Martin Luther, Philip Melancthon, and the said Francis Lambert, did so grow and advance in godly knowledge, joyned with fervencie and integrity of life, that he was in admiration with many. The zeal of Gods glory did so eat him up, that he could not long continue to remain there, but returned to his countrey where the bright beams of the true light, which by Gods grace was planted in his heart, began most abundantly to burst forth, as well in publike as in secret; for he was (besides his godly knowledge) well learned in Phylosophie, he abhorred Sophistrie, and would that the Text of Aristotle should have been better understood, and more used in the Schools than then it was; for Sophistrie had corrupted all, as well in Divinitie, as in humanitie. In short processe of time, the fame of his reasons and Doctrine troubled the Clergie, and came to the ears of Bishop Iames Betonne, of whom before we have made mention, who being a conjured enemy to Christ Jesus, and one that long hath had the whole regiment of this Realm, bare impatiently that any trouble should be made to the Kingdom of darknesse, whereof within this Realm he was the head. And therefore he so travelled with the said Master Patrike that he gat him to Saint Andrews, where after the conference of divers dayes he had his freedom and liberty. The said Bishop and his bloody Butchers, called Doctours, seemed to approve his Doctrine, and to grant that many things craved Reformation in the Ecclesiasticall regiment. And amongst the rest, there was one that secretly consented with him almost in all things, named, Frier Alexander Campbell, A Dominican Frier.a man of good wit and learning, but yet corrupt by the world, as after we will hear: when the Bishops and Clergie had fully understood the minde and judgement of the said Master Patrick, and fearing that by him their kingdom should be endamaged, they travailed with the King, who then was young,Note how Church-men rules the good nature of the Prince. and altogether addict to their commandment, that he should passe in Pilgrimage to Saint Dothesse in Rosse, to the end that no intercession should be made for the life of the innocent servant of God, who suspecting no such cruelty as in their hearts was conceived, remained still, (a lambe amongst the wolves) till that upon a night he was intercepted in his chamber, and by the Bishops Band was caried to the Castle, where that night he was kept, and upon the morrow after brought forth to Judgement, he was condemned to die by fire for the testimony of Gods Truth. The Articles for the which he suffered, were but of Pilgrimage, Purgatory, prayer to Saints, and for the dead, and such trifles. Albeit that matters of greater importance had been in question, as his Treatise which in the end we have added, may witnesse. Now that the condemnation of the said M. Patrike should have greater Authority, they caused the same to be subscribed by all those of any estimation that with them were present; and to make their number great, they took the subscription of children, if they were of the Nobility; for the Earle of Cassilles, which last deceased in France, then being but twelve or thirteene yeers of age, was compelled to subscribe his death, as himself did confesse. Immediately after dinner the fire was prepared before the old Colledge, and he led to the place of Execution, and yet men supposed that all was done but to give nnto him terrour, and to have caused him to have recanted, and have become recreant to those bloodie beasts; but God for his own glory; for the comfort of his servant, and for manifestation of their beastly tyrannie, had otherwise decreed; for he …o strengthned his faithfull Witnesse, that neither the love of life, nor yet the fear of that cruell death, could move him a jote to swerve from the truth once professed. At the place of execution, he gave to his servant who had been chamberlain to him of a long time, his Gown, his Coat, Bonnet, and such like garments, saying, These will not profit in the fire, they will profit thee; after this, of me thou canst receive no commoditie, except the example of my death, which I pray thee bear in minde, for albeit it be bitter to the flesh▪ and fearfull before men, yet is it the entrance unto eternall life, which none shall possesse that denies Christ Jesus before this wicked generation. The innocent servant of God being bound to the stake, in the midst of some coales, some timber, and other matter appointed for the fire, a traine of powder was made, and set on fire, which gave to the blessed Martyr of God, a blaise, and scorched his left hand and that side of his face, but neither kindled the wood nor yet the coales, and so remained the appointed to death in torment, till that men ran to the Castle again for more Powder, and fire wood more able to take fire, which at last being kindled, with loud voice, cried; Lord Iesus receive my spirit; How long shall darknesse overwhelm this Realme? And how long wilt thou suffer this tyrannie of men? The fire was slow, and therefore was his torment the more: But most of all was he grieved by certain wicked men, amongst whom Campbel the black Frier (of whom we spake before) was principall, who continually cryed, Convert Heretick, Call upon our Lady, say, Salve Regina, &c. To whom he answered, Depart, and trouble me not, Frier Campbell apostate.thou messenger of Satan. But while that the aforesaid Frier still roared, one thing in great vehemence he said unto him; Wicked man, thou knowest the contrary, and the contrary to me thou hast confessed; I appeale thee before the tribunall seat of Christ Iesus. After which, and other words, which well could not be understood nor marked because of the tumult, and vehemencie of the fire. The witnesse of Jesus Christ gate victory, after long sufferance, the last of February, in the yeere of God 1527. The said Frier departed this life within few dayes after, in what estate, we referre to the manifestation of the generall Day. But it was plainly known, that he died in Glasgow in a phrenzie, and as one despaired.
Now that all men may understand what was the singular erudition, and godly knowledge of the said M. Patrike Hamilton, we have inserted this his little pithie Work, containing his Assertions and Determinations, concerning the Law, the Office of the same; concerning Faith, and the true Fruits thereof; first by the said Master Patrike collected in Latine, and after translated into vulgar Language.